We were treated to an enlightening and thought-provoking presentation this week from Associate Professor David Dorward on the far-reaching global consequences of recent shifts in U.S. public health policy.
These changes are already having a significant impact on research, vaccination programs, and humanitarian aid to developing nations — with devastating effects on preventative treatments for diseases ranging from measles to HIV.
The audience was left in no doubt as to the identity of the so-called "rocket scientist" behind these misguided policies.
Good Friday saw Balwyn Rotary well represented at the Box Hill Miniature Steam Railway (BHMSR) by a great team of platform assistants; Davidson, Lambers (Roy), Poynter, Stahel, Walsh x 2.
Ballard as driver / guard and Gibbs as BHMSR photographer.
Get ready for a fun night of Trivial Pursuit next week! It’s a great opportunity to meet the friendly lawn bowlers from North Balwyn Bowling Club and to enjoy the company of the always-engaging and community-minded Rotarians from North Balwyn.
22-APR: TRIVIA NIGHT- COMPETE & HAVE FUN
Get ready for a night of fun, competition, and brainpower as we go head-to-head with North Balwyn Rotary and the North Balwyn Bowling Club in an epic trivia showdown!
HOME TO HELSINKI: PIN YI WONG’S ROTARY EXCHANGE JOURNEY
Enhanced Image
When Pin Yi Wong set off from her home as part of the Rotary Youth Exchange program, she didn’t just pack a suitcase—she carried curiosity, courage, and the spirit of adventure. Her destination? Finland. A land of lakes, saunas, and snowy wonders, where she would spend a life-changing year immersed in new experiences, cultures, and friendships.
Arriving in a country known for its quiet resilience and deep connection to nature, Pin Yi was warmly welcomed by her host Rotary club and families. She embraced everything from disc golf and language lessons to celebrating Finnish holidays with her new families.
Pin Yi’s story is one of many that showcase the power of Rotary’s Youth Exchange program: to broaden minds, foster peace, and create young leaders with a heart for service. She returns home with more than souvenirs—she brings back lifelong friendships, a new language, deeper empathy, and a broadened worldview.
Pin Yi expressed gratitude to Balwyn Rotary for generously supporting the exchange; an unforgettable and life-changing experience.
GLOBAL HEALTH AT RISK: U.S. POLICY SHIFTS AND THEIR WORLDWIDE IMPACT
In a Tuesday's talk, Dr. David Dorward shared a sobering look at the global consequences of significant shifts in U.S. public health policy and funding. These developments have affected international disease surveillance, humanitarian aid, and domestic health outcomes.
Withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO)
On January 25, 2025, the U.S. formally began its withdrawal from the WHO, historically its largest funder. This move leaves a 12–15% gap in the organization’s budget—one that impacts health programs in some of the world’s most vulnerable regions. The U.S. also forfeited access to key disease surveillance tools like FluNet (global flu tracking) and GREMLIN (measles monitoring), potentially weakening global response coordination.
USAID Freeze: Humanitarian Programs Stalled
A 90-day budget freeze led to the suspension of nearly all U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) activities. Around 10,000 staff were recalled and more than 500 grants and contracts paused or canceled. Life-saving programs, including HIV prevention efforts in countries like Mozambique, came to a sudden halt.
CDC Cuts and Rising Health Risks
Budget and staffing reductions at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have disrupted disease tracking and reporting. The U.S. was unable to participate in the 2025 global flu vaccine conference and no longer receives timely WHO data. Domestically, the country experienced a sharp rise in measles cases and its most severe flu season in 15 years.
NIH and Research in Retreat
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) faced deep funding cuts, leading to the dismissal of over 1,000 researchers. Grants supporting vaccine education, public health equity, and pandemic preparedness were slashed. Institutions like Johns Hopkins University reported major losses, including $800 million in research funding and 2,000 staff layoffs.
Avian Flu and Agricultural Fallout
The spread of H5N1 bird flu was met with limited federal response. Over 120 million poultry were culled due to delayed containment measures. Cuts to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) slowed efforts to investigate and manage zoonotic disease threats.
Global Standing in Public Health
As a result of these changes, U.S. life expectancy has fallen to 48th globally. Meanwhile, countries with robust, stable public health systems—like Australia, currently ranked 4th—have strengthened their leadership roles on the world stage.
In Summary:
Dr. Dorward’s presentation offered a compelling reminder of how interconnected global health systems truly are. When one nation retreats from cooperative efforts and funding commitments, the ripple effects can be felt worldwide—from laboratory research to local clinics, from disease surveillance to disaster response.
MARC MIRAMS
SUPPORT FOR QUEENSLAND FLOOD RELIEF–CAMBERWELL SUNDAY MARKET
In response to the devastating floods that have recently swept through communities in Queensland, causing widespread damage and displacing countless families, the Camberwell Sunday Market Board designated Sunday, April 13 as a special Collection Day for Queensland Flood Relief.
On this day, all stallholder fees and donations received will go directly to support flood-affected areas. In addition, the board is considering boosting the total contribution to $50,000 through grant funding, with all funds to be donated to Rotary District 9560, which is supporting local relief efforts.
HELPING MEND THE HEARTS AND PROPERTIES OF THOSE IMPACTED BY FLOODS AND FIRES
As mentioned in the article above, our Club recently contributed last Sunday's market revenue to a Flood Relief Fund. But the spirit of giving didn’t stop there.
One of our members is taking things a step further by spending next week in Rochester with Connecting Communities Australia, lending hands-on help to restore gardens and homes for residents still struggling three years after the devastating floods. This follows on from his previous Flood Relief effort in Shepparton last October.
The gardening photo above features another dedicated member who also joined the Flood Relief effort in Shepparton last year, again coordinated by Connecting Communities Australia.
Why not join in the volunteering spirit by heading to Goroke, to support BlazeAid? You’ll be helping repair damaged fences and lifting the spirits of farmers affected by the recent wildfires — a vital contribution to communities doing it tough.
CHRIS FINLEY
SREYNA NEANG LATEST UPDATE
This month has been full of meaningful experiences, both at school and with the CRST family. At PUC, I’ve been busy with four subjects, including weekly assignments and quizzes. One subject I particularly enjoy is Customer Service, taught by Professor Ratha, who encourages us to share real-life experiences and participate actively in class discussions.
We also celebrated Khmer New Year at the CRST campus, with special guests Aviv, Jess, Isabelle, and Andre joining us. It was a memorable event, and I helped organize and decorate for it. Although this might be my last year celebrating with CRST due to graduating soon, it was a joyful occasion filled with games, dancing, and togetherness.
During the New Year, I also spent time with my family in my hometown—cooking, decorating, and preparing fruits, as part of our tradition to welcome good luck. Additionally, I joined the Project W Mission at my old school, Angkor Thom Secondary School, where I saw the lasting impact of projects I contributed to years ago, like tree planting and garden work. It was a powerful reminder of how past efforts can benefit future generations.
Sreyna Neang
Community Service Committee Chair
Rotaract Club of Siem Reap
NEPAL SCHOOL GIRLS TOILET PROJECT
Currently, 2.5 billion people globally don’t have access to improved sanitation facilities – meaning more people have access to mobile phones than to toilets. Along with health issues presented by lack of proper toilet facilities, many girls don’t attend school due to their periods if there is no toilet. The goal of this toilet project was to ensure that each one of the schools that we support has adequate toilets to ensure that everyone can go to school and stay healthy along the way. Lack of access to sanitation creates a host of health problems, making it easier for diseases to spread, infecting drinking water and contributing to undernourishment and poverty. A child dies every 20 seconds because of poor sanitation, according to the U.N. It can also impact future economic opportunities because lack of sanitation can negatively affect school attendance, especially for girls. In 2013, 1,000 children died every day due to diarrheal disease because of poor sanitation
In order to protect school-going children from poor sanitation, the concept of a toilet project was developed in a Nepalese School at Shree Kalika Secondary School, Kamalamai Municipality-7, Sindhuli, Nepal almost 90 km far from capital Kathmandu. The Rotary Club of Kathmandu in coordination with the school management committee successfully completed construction of a toilet block with two separate rooms. The project is completed with financial support from the Rotary Club of Balwyn, Australia and in local coordination of the Rotary Club of Kathmandu and under the supervision of Rotary International District 3292, and the local government. The toilet block also has Traditional Sanitary Pad Disposal System. One additional hand washing station also built for the facility of the school going children. This project will benefit 252 school-going children, 17 teachers and the local community.
RAJENDRA GAUTAM
Project Coordinator,
Girls Toilet Project
President Elect, 2024-25 Rotary Club of Kathmandu
ROSTERS
Camberwell Sunday Market
All members: Philip Lambers sends out reminders a week before your shift.
If you are unable to do your rostered shift, you need to organize a swap and let Philip know.
Shift Times
OIC: 06:15 – 13:00
Set Up Crew: 06:30 – 12:30
Sunday 20th April
David Jones (OIC), Ken McQualter, Phillip Lambers Sunday 27th April
John Walker (OIC), Mark Read / Jim Cary, Chadstone E. Malvern
Box Hill Miniature Steam Railway
Arrival time: 10:45
Trains depart: 11:00-16:00
Location: Elgar Park, corner of Belmore and Elgar Roads, Mont Albert North
Rosters are organised by Fred Gibbs and Clarke Ballard.
Any changes or alterations please send an email to bhmsr@balwynrotary.org.au
Rotary Controller: Clarke Ballard
Sunday 18th May
Tony O’Brien, Ed Rayment, Ed Frost, Ian Ridd, Ken McQualter, Alison McQualter, Clarke Ballard
Box Hill Miniature Steam Railway Good Friday Appeal
L to R: The team | Putting out a small fire | New sparkle train
This past Friday marked a very special Public Running Day at the Box Hill Miniature Steam Railway, with 100% of proceeds donated to the Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal. Every ticket sold and every ride taken contributed directly to the life-saving care and world-leading research at Melbourne’s Royal Children’s Hospital—supporting thousands of children and their families each year.
Over the past 20 years, the Box Hill Miniature Steam Railway has proudly raised over $100,000 through its Good Friday Public Runs—a true testament to the generosity of our community and the dedication of our volunteers.
RIMERN
Tuesday 22nd April
Peter Frueh, Kevin Walsh
Tuesday 13th May
Peter 0 Brien, Julie Mulhauser
Tuesday,27th May
Chris Finlay, Russell Jones.
Tuesday 10th June
Murray Wilkinson, Ed Frost
Tuesday 24th June
Kevin Walsh, David Hobson
Volunteers
Chris Finley, David Hobson, Ed Frost, Julie Mulhauser, Ken McQualter, Kevin Walsh, Marc Mirams, Murray Wilkinson, Peter Frueh, Peter O’Brien, Russel Jones
23 April — Mari Deak
26 April — Russell Jones
03 May — Stewart Ham
12 May — Jim Thomson
Camberwell Sunday Market Report: 13-Apr-25
On Sunday I had the pleasure of working with our Tony O’Brien, Margaret Silverton and President Ian along with Rotary Club volunteers from North Balwyn, Canterbury and Camberwell clubs,
All arrived and completed the set-up in a timely manner
The weather was warm and, with the sun appearing around 10.00 am, crowds of people started arriving. The total number of people was lower than expected – maybe due to many leaving Melbourne for the Gather Round event in Adelaide ?
Despite this, we managed to collect over $2500 from gate takings – with $370 from Eftpos machines
